BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

Appreciation
of
Quebec.
50 RODERIC MCKENZIE
" Dear Sir,
" Quebec, 24 Jan., 1805.
"Your favors of the 17th and 21st, I have to acknowledge.
Owing to the stormy weather the Post did not. come at hand
Monday. The people here say they do not remember such a
continuance of rough weather.
" As I keep no copies, I forget how I expressed myself to have
given you the idea that I had made a good exchange by coming
here.
" The society is certainly very agreable, and I feel myself
much obliged by the attentions I universally receive, and this
the stronger as It is from strangers, persons with whom I am but
slightly acquainted.
" I am heartily tired of legislation. I sincerely wish that those
who thought themselves my friends in being the means of getting
me so honorable a situation, had been otherwise employed.
" Very little good is done as yet. They will allow us a jail
at the expense of our district, by assessment upon property. No
tax will go down with them except upon commerce, which
they will have no objection to extend to any amount. For example:
it is proposed as a means of building jails to tax the
men of the North-West Company: say 1500 wintp,rers at six
pounds, and summer men, same nnmber, at three ponnds; a
duty upon furs and peltries that would amount to £15,000.
" To Roderic McKenzie, Esq.
" My dear Sir,
" Yonrs, &'c.,
" ALEX. MACKENZIE".
" Pallas, Frigate, 3 Nov., 1805.
" Although I have not any thing worth troubling you with, I
cannot let slip this last opportunity that offers of addressing
you on this side of the Atlantic ............................................ .